Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee for doing a historic reauthorization of this historic…”

“I thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee for doing a historic reauthorization of this historic Department that came in the backdrop of the most heinous and singular terrorist act in terms of the beginning part of the 21st century to come together with this important statement about securing the homeland. This year will mark the 15th year of the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland security is defined as ``the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive . . . .'' This is what I hope this bill will do. I want to take special note of two of the subagencies in this bill in particular, taking note of the killing of Gerardo Hernandez, the first TSA officer in the line of duty to be killed, in Los Angeles, and the machete attack on Carol Richel at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. We owe a great deal of appreciation and thanks to the Transportation Security Administration and the TSOs. I personally thank them for the work that they do to be front line in securing America. I also want to express my appreciation for the Secret Service, who, of course, through challenges, have continued to work to protect America's most important leadership, the President in particular. I thank them for their service.…”